Celebrities are often treated as the pinnacle of fashion. You see their faces on magazines like Vogue or GQ, sporting the latest trends from the hottest designers, and on social media with millions of likes. That being said, this attention isn’t always well deserved. From Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress, to Nicki Minaj’s eclectic style, celebrities aren’t always the bastions of what is hot and what is not. When it comes to teeth, this notion is doubly true. Dentist are becoming more and more concerned by a trend known as tooth jewelry. Popularized by the likes of Drake, Katy Perry, and even Justin Bieber, more and more people want to know where they can get theirs. Before you pick out your tooth stone, however, you should be more aware of the dangers of tooth jewelry.
What is Tooth Jewelry?
Tooth jewelry are small stones, gold shapes, or other decorative items that are attached to teeth using two different methods. The first and most common is with the use of a bonding agent. Used by many tattoo parlors and beauty salons that offer the service, a tiny stone is attached to the desired tooth and stabilized using a powerful adhesive. The problem with this method is that it causes the stone to stick out above the surface of the tooth, which can irritate the cheeks and collect bacteria. The second method is more common with celebrities getting diamond tooth implants. A dentist will drill a small divot into your chosen tooth, and bond the stone in a way that will leave it flush with the surface of the tooth.
What Are the Dangers of Tooth Jewelry?
Tooth jewelry applied with an adhesive can increases the likelihood of infection inside the mouth. Not only can it accidentally cut into your lip, but food particles and bacteria can gather in the hard-to-clean spaces between the jewel and your tooth. Using the second method can be even more dangerous. It’s possible that this technique will collect less bacteria than the method of gluing to the surface, but it will still collect bacteria. Drilling away bits of healthy tooth matter is an irreversible procedure that can jeopardize the structural integrity of the tooth, and open it up to infection later on.
Are There Safer Smile Options?
Being embarrassed by your smile is incredibly common. Often we can feel as if our teeth are too yellow, crooked, or we can even be embarrassed by missing teeth. Tooth jewelry might seem like a way to spruce up your smile. If you’re hoping to give your teeth a makeover, however, there are better and more safer options than tooth jewelry. Cosmetic dentistry is an elective form of dentistry that focuses on correcting the things that make you unhappy when you smile. It can give you the best smile you could ask for. By working with a cosmetic dentist, you can discuss your smile goals and begin to take steps to achieve those goals. Whether you’re looking for an entirely new smile, or just want to change one or t wo teeth, cosmetic dentistry can do it for you. Please call (610) 272-0828 or contact Dental Excellence of Blue Bell to talk to Blue Bell cosmetic dentist Dr. Ken Siegel about porcelain veneers.
